European Brain Council in Davos During World Economic Forum 2026

EBC Executive Director Frédéric Destrebecq moderated this opening plenary session, which brought together leading voices in neuroscience, investment, and innovation to explore the transformative potential of brain capital. The session examined how cognitive health serves as a cornerstone for both human wellbeing and economic prosperity.

Featuring diverse perspectives from Dominik Böke, CEO of Neotiv; Harris Eyre, Lead of the Brain Capital Alliance and Senior Fellow at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute; Pawel Swieboda, Founder of NeuroCentury; and Dr. Don Mordecai, National Leader for Mental Health and Addiction Care at Kaiser Permanente Foundation, the panel delved into the critical intersection of brain health and economic development, with discussions highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in neuro-innovation.

Frédéric Destrebecq emphasised how supporting brain health can unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, wellbeing, and long-term societal impact—core themes that would resonate throughout EBC’s engagement in Davos. The session set a powerful tone for the week ahead, establishing brain capital as an essential framework for understanding the relationship between cognitive health and economic flourishing.

EBC participated in a high-level roundtable at the IHC House that examined the vast potential and persistent challenges within the global care economy. The session positioned brain health as a defining example within the broader care landscape, exploring how emerging models in MENA, Asia, and other regions are increasingly integrating best practices from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes care.

The discussion centered on the transformative role of AI and digital health innovations across multiple disease areas, with participants evaluating breakthroughs in early detection, remote monitoring, and personalised treatment that are transitioning from pilot programs to scale. The conversation moved beyond technological optimism to confront the substantial barriers that remain: workforce shortages that technology alone cannot address, fragmented data systems that hinder care coordination and outdated payment models that continue to incentivise volume over value.

The roundtable reinforced the urgent need to properly recognise caregivers—not only for their impact on health outcomes, but for their essential contribution to the broader economy. EBC’s participation in this session reinforced our commitment to advocating for systemic change in how brain health and broader care systems are funded and delivered. The roundtable brought together investors, industry leaders, and healthcare innovators to identify concrete shifts needed in investment strategy, regulatory policy, and organisational design—critical steps to unlock the $11+ trillion care economy’s potential for patients, providers, and payers worldwide.

EBC colleagues participated in a strategic working lunch co-hosted by West Health, The Brain House, and the Global Brain Economy Initiative at the Brain House in Davos. This intimate convening brought together leaders pioneering brain economy initiatives across different regions and institutions to explore the establishment of a Brain Economy Place-Based Community of Practice.

The session focused on the critical need for structured global collaboration to accelerate progress in brain health innovation and implementation. EBC was able to share insights on the work underway in Europe, particularly highlighted the recently launched European Partnership for Brain Health as an excited multi-country, EU-led initiative focused on empowering brain research, and to speak on its role in advancing regional coordination and evidence-based policymaking. The lunch fostered candid dialogue on creating a trusted, action-oriented forum where regions and institutions can share practical tools, insights, best practices, metrics, governance models, and lessons learned. Participants recognised that such a community of practice is essential to avoid duplication of efforts and fragmentation—challenges that too often slow the translation of brain health research into real-world impact. The conversation underscored a shared commitment among attendees to move beyond siloed initiatives toward coordinated action that can unlock the full economic and social potential of brain health investment.

EBC Executive Director, Frédéric Destrebecq, was invited to participate in a recorded interview panel session hosted by CBS News, the Brain House and Catalight Foundation at the Seehof Davos Hotel. The session captured personal perspectives from leaders, innovators, and advocates on why brain health matters, how it shapes our lives, and its significance for society’s future. This session will be included in an upcoming CBS News documentary on brain health, offering an opportunity to bring EBC’s mission and vision to a broader global audience beyond the Davos community.

Frédéric Destrebecq joined was invited to present in a line-up of speakers that spoke around reframing longevity beyond purely biomedical advances. The session was partnership-forward and solution-oriented, framing longevity as a shared opportunity for governments, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and civil society to advance health, wellbeing, and societal impact across generations, fostering ethical leadership, inclusive innovation, and intergenerational solidarity while promoting equitable access globally.

Participants explored how cross-sector partnerships, ethical leadership, and collaborative innovation can ensure purposeful longevity becomes achievable across all regions, including low- and middle-income countries. EBC’s participation reinforced our vision that brain health is integral to enabling not just longer lives, but lives filled with dignity, purpose, and continued contribution to society.

EBC Executive Director Frédéric Destrebecq spoke during a session which served as a cross-disciplinary conversation on the science of mindfulness bridging neuroscience research, technology and contemplative wisdom. The discussion explored how mindfulness shapes brain health, resilience, and human flourishing, offering evidence-based insights and lived perspectives on its role in wellbeing, leadership, and longevity.

Moderated by Elisabetta Jiang, Executive Director of the Social Innovation Park and Co-Founder of Unicorns for Good, the panel brought together Venerable Monk Burin, Executive Director of The Middle Way Meditation Institute; George Vradenburg, Founding Chairman of the Board of the Davos Alzheimer Collective; and Christopher Carey, General Manager of Calm Health. In a memorable exchange with Venerable Monk Burin, Frédéric Destrebecq shared perspectives on consciousness and meditation, and advocated for a more evidence-based recognition of the role of psychedelics to open minds and heal trauma. The session highlighted the growing convergence between ancient contemplative practices and modern neuroscience, demonstrating how mindfulness can serve as a practical tool for leaders and individuals seeking to optimize cognitive performance and overall wellbeing.

A landmark development during the week was the official launch of the Global Brain Economy Initiative (GBEI), which recognises brain capital as essential infrastructure for the 21st-century economy. Strategic investment in brain capital has the potential to unlock an estimated $6.2 trillion in annual global GDP, yet efforts remain fragmented across healthcare, education, workforce development, and public policy.

GBEI will work with a group of global leaders to bring these efforts together and move a coordinated brain economy forward. EBC was announced as a member of the Advisory Committee, where we will play an important role in shaping priorities and ensuring the initiative stays grounded in real-world impact. This appointment reflects EBC’s leadership in advancing brain health as a strategic economic priority and positions our organisation at the forefront of global coordination efforts to realise the transformative potential of brain capital investment.

Beyond these featured sessions, EBC participated in numerous events across on Mental Health Day, and in the Brain House, Frontiers Science House, House of Collaboration and more, witnessing what can only be described as a watershed moment for brain health at Davos. From just a handful of related events in previous years, 2026 saw over 30 sessions focused around the brain—spanning neuroscience, brain health (particularly mental health), and brain capital. This remarkable growth signals that brain health has firmly established itself on the global agenda, with momentum continuing to build across sectors and regions.

Davos also provided invaluable opportunities to connect with the expanding brain health community, bringing together familiar colleagues and new partners to explore synergies with scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, organisations and companies from around the world. Throughout the week, Destrebecq presented the European Brain Health Partnership in multiple forums as the largest transnational initiative bringing together countries and the European Commission to support integrated brain research in Europe, in collaboration with international partners.

As Frédéric Destrebecq, EBC Executive Director, reflected: “There was something unsettling about being in a place where you could feel a rupture in the global order unfolding in real time. And yet, what truly restored my hope was meeting extraordinary people deeply committed to advancing science and international collaboration for those living with brain disorders.” EBC returns from Davos with renewed conviction that positioning brain health as a driver of economic and societal resilience has never been more urgent—and with a clear sense that the diverse ideas and contributions emerging across sectors must now be gathered, coordinated and deployed to meet the complex challenges ahead.

Several news items and initiatives were launched during the week of the World Economic Forum. A few items have been highlighted below: